Mesothelioma Aid

Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead

Many mesothelioma patients experience fatigue. This may be due to
anxiety, stress, or changes in diet or sleeping patterns. It may also
be a side effect of chemotherapy. This type of fatigue is far beyond
the normal tiredness that most of us feel from time to time. This
fatigue is exhaustion, and it prevents people from carrying out even
the simplest daily tasks. It isn't relieved by rest, and may become
a challenge to live with.

Because chemotherapy is not selective, it kills healthy red blood
cells along with cancer cells. More than half of all chemotherapy
patients develop anemia during treatment. The reason is simple. Red
blood cells carry oxygen to your body, and without oxygen, you have
no energy. Common signs of anemia include:

Mild fatigue to extreme exhaustion

Weakness

Dizziness

Shortness of breath

Inability to carry out normal activities

Only your doctor can determine whether you
have anemia. A simple blood test which
measures your hemoglobin is all that is necessary.

If you find yourself fatigued as a result of chemotherapy treatment,
following are some hints to help you cope:

Plan your day so that you have time to rest.

Take short naps more often, rather than taking a long rest
period.

Save your energy for tasks you feel are the most important.

Find new hobbies that are less physically demanding, such as
reading or listening to music.